After my First DAT on 09-27-09. what to do from now?

[kimcath2]

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Hey guys,

first off, I wanna thank all of you guys for always leaving me comments and concerns. It helped a lotttt. so I just took my first DAT yesterday. I studied since late July and felt confident enough to not get nervous. Went over Detroyer 3-4 times. had Kaplan, Topscore, Achiever. (the very last 4 weeks) and here is what I got.

PAT 22
Math 18
RC 17
Bio 15
O.Chem 22
G.Chem 21
TS 18
AA 19


I was utterly shocked after I saw my bio score. I was consistently getting 19's and 20's on topscore (and 17s and 18s on achiever) on bio. I thought the questions were based on a very basic biology knowledge not anything too specific. I admit I suck at bio. I always did. but I thought I knew my bio after studying 3 months!!! I dont know where to go from here. Should I take the Kaplan course? would it help me on my bio section?

Thanks guys again,😳

 

[wantVCUdental]

PAT 22
Math 18
RC 17
Bio 15
O.Chem 22
G.Chem 21
TS 18
AA 19

I am sorry the bio score didn't work out. Everything else looks fine though. Since you've been prepping for a long time, and did well on topscore, it means you've studied hard. As it has been previously mentioned, DAT bio can be unpredictable, did you encounter subjects you didn't review thoroughly? Also, when i prep for test, i like to write out as much as i need to know and memorize them in the last week, so everything will be fresh for the test. Perhaps you mixed up some stuff that you learned earlier.
Great chem and PAT
if you've applied, just send the scores, nothing you can do at this point. If not, then I would retake
good luck

 

[doc3232]

Work on RC also. For some, bio requires A LOT of work.

Most of my time studying was for bio. I read every book, higlighted in it to focus on the main stuff I didn't knew. Make a set of notes of all the stuff you don't know and read them over till you have them memorized.

 

[solstice]

well I was a bio major and still 90% of my time went to study for bio. There was no question or topic that I have not seen in one of my book, but it is about how deep you know them.

One reason for discrepency between your sample tests and actual bio would be this: most sample tests bio IMO have a lot of detail, but to the point questions. in actual DAT I noticed that questions are very random, easier but requrie deep underestanding and application of concepts.

I don't think you need to take a prep course based on your other scores, but read a few breakdown and get all of the materials IF YOU DECIDED to retake. I would suggest Examcrackers Bio (especially for Physio), Ap Bio and Kaplan BB for bio.

I do not know if you have applied for this cycle, if so, just wait and see what happens, if you are applying next year, you may want to retake to make sure there is no excuse for rejection.

 

[kimcath2]

Thanks you guys!

yea I'm not applying this cycle. I'm applying next cycle. you don't think I should take the prep course? ya I wasn't sure If i needed to. I will have to work harder in my bio and rc section. thanks guys!